When Scott Bigelow—known to every wrestling fan on the planet as Bam Bam Bigelow—passed away in 2007, it didn’t just feel like the loss of another wrestler. It felt like the end of an era for the "agile big man." This was a guy who weighed nearly 400 pounds but could hit a moonsault with the grace of a cruiserweight. He was the guy with the literal flames tattooed on his skull. But behind that intimidating, fire-breathing exterior was a man dealing with a mountain of physical pain and a body that was essentially breaking down after decades of taking "bumps" on the concrete and canvas.
Honestly, the Bam Bam Bigelow cause of death isn't a simple one-word answer. It’s a tragic cocktail of factors that highlights the dark side of the professional wrestling industry during that period.
On the morning of January 19, 2007, Bigelow's girlfriend, Janis Remiesiewicz, found him unresponsive in their home in Hudson, Florida. He was only 45 years old. For a man who had survived a literal house fire to save three children—earning him third-degree burns over 40% of his body—it seemed impossible that he was just... gone.
The Official Medical Findings
The Pasco-Pinellas Medical Examiner’s Office didn't take long to figure out what happened, but the details were still a gut punch to the community. According to the autopsy and subsequent toxicology reports, Bigelow died from an accidental drug overdose.
What was in his system? It was a "poly-drug" situation. The report specifically noted toxic levels of cocaine and an anti-anxiety medication known as benzodiazepine.
The medical examiner ruled the death accidental. There was no evidence of foul play or a deliberate attempt to self-harm. It was the classic, heartbreaking story of a professional athlete trying to manage a body that was screaming in pain, leading to a lethal interaction of substances.
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A Heart Under Pressure
It's also worth noting that the toxicology wasn't the whole story. The autopsy revealed that Scott Bigelow was suffering from arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Basically, he had a severely enlarged heart and clogged arteries. When you mix a weakened heart with the stimulant effects of cocaine and the central nervous system depression of benzos, you’re looking at a biological disaster.
He was also dealing with:
- Chronic back pain from years of wrestling.
- Severe diabetes.
- Lingering issues from a nasty infection he had been fighting off.
- The aftermath of a serious motorcycle accident in 2005.
That motorcycle crash is often overlooked. In November 2005, Bigelow crashed his Harley-Davidson on State Road 50. He and Janis weren't wearing helmets. He spent time in the hospital, and while he survived, it added yet another layer of trauma to a body that was already held together by sheer willpower and prescription meds.
Why the Bam Bam Bigelow Cause of Death Still Hits Hard
If you look at the wrestlers we lost around that same timeframe—Eddie Guerrero in 2005, Test in 2009—there’s a recurring theme. These guys were giants, but they were human.
Bigelow wasn't just "some wrestler." He was the New Jersey Triad. He was the guy who main-evented WrestleMania XI against Lawrence Taylor. He was the ECW World Heavyweight Champion.
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But by 2004, the "Beast from the East" was struggling. He tried to open a deli called "Bam Bam Bigelow's Burger Joint" in Pennsylvania. It failed. He moved to Florida because the heat helped his joints. He was trying to find a "normal" life, but when your career involves falling off ladders and jumping off top ropes for 20 years, "normal" is a hard place to reach.
The Pain Management Trap
Many people wonder why someone with his experience wouldn't just "get help." It's a fair question, but you've gotta understand the culture of the 90s and early 2000s wrestling.
WWE-sponsored rehab didn't exist in the way it does now. Back then, if you didn't work, you didn't get paid. Bigelow was a freelancer for much of his later career. If his back hurt, he took a pill. If he needed to get "up" for a show or a public appearance, he might use a stimulant. It was a cycle.
The presence of benzodiazepines in his system suggests he was likely trying to manage severe anxiety or insomnia, common side effects of the high-stress, high-impact lifestyle he led.
Beyond the Tragedy: Remembering the Hero
While the Bam Bam Bigelow cause of death is the focus of medical records, fans prefer to remember the man who was a legitimate hero. In 2000, Bigelow saw a house on fire in his neighborhood. Without a second thought, he ran inside and pulled three kids out of the flames.
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He was badly burned. He spent weeks in the hospital. He never really bragged about it, either. He just did it. That's the Scott Bigelow that people in Asbury Park remember.
Moving Forward and Lessons Learned
The tragedy of Bam Bam’s passing, along with the Benoit tragedy just months later, forced the wrestling industry to finally look in the mirror. It led to more stringent drug testing and the implementation of the Wellness Policy in many major promotions.
If you’re a fan looking to honor his legacy, here are a few ways to keep the memory of the "Beast from the East" alive without focusing solely on the end:
- Watch the Classics: Check out his match against Bret "The Hitman" Hart from the 1993 King of the Ring. It is arguably one of the best "big man vs. technician" matches ever recorded.
- Support Legends: Many retired wrestlers struggle with the same issues Bigelow did. Support organizations like the Cauliflower Alley Club, which provides financial assistance to retired performers in need.
- Recognize the Toll: Understand that the "fake" world of wrestling has very real physical consequences. Bigelow’s story is a reminder of the price these athletes pay for our entertainment.
Scott Bigelow was a unique talent who deserved a much longer retirement. While his heart and the substances he took eventually gave out, his impact on the ring and his bravery in real life won’t be forgotten anytime soon.